This chapter shall be called "Surface Water Management."
(Ord. 1853 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018)
This chapter applies to:
A.
All grading, drainage, and erosion control, whether or not a permit is required; and
B.
All new development, redevelopment, land disturbing activities, and construction sites, whether or not a permit is required; and
C.
All new and existing discharges directly or indirectly to a public drainage control system; and
D.
All new and existing land uses.
(Ord. 1853 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018)
The provisions of this chapter shall be liberally construed to accomplish its remedial purposes, which are:
A.
To protect, to the greatest extent practical, life, property and the environment from loss, injury and damage by pollution, erosion, flooding, landslides, strong ground motion, soil liquefaction, accelerated soil creep, settlement and subsidence, and other potential hazards whether from natural causes or from human activity;
B.
To protect the public interest in drainage and related functions of drainage basins, watercourses and shoreline areas;
C.
To protect surface waters, ground waters and other receiving waters from pollution, mechanical damage, excessive flows and other conditions in their drainage basins which will increase the rate of downcutting, streambank erosion, and/or the degree of turbidity, siltation and other forms of pollution, or which will reduce their low flows or low levels to levels which degrade the environment, reduce recharging and ground water, or endanger aquatic and benthic life within these surface waters and receiving waters of the state;
D.
To meet the requirements of state and federal law and comply with regulatory standards for the city's municipal storm water; and
E.
To fulfill the responsibilities of the city as trustee of the environment for future generations.
(Ord. 1853 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018)
A.
The public works director is authorized to issue, monitor, stop work or require modifications of storm water permits and inspections for the construction, capping, alterations, or repairs of privately owned and operated drainage control systems as more specifically set forth in BMC § 14.05.120; require modification of drainage control facilities and associated project designs during construction and approve and file approved drainage control plans as more specifically set forth in BMC § 14.05.130; and accept and approve when appropriate storm sewer permits for the construction or alteration of all storm water systems as more specifically set forth in BMC § 14.05.240. Any powers granted or duties imposed upon the public works director may be delegated to persons or entities acting in the beneficial interest of or in the employ of the agency.
B.
The public works director is authorized to take actions necessary to implement the provisions and purposes of this title in their respective spheres of authority, including, but not limited to: promulgating and amending rules and regulations, which may include prescribing best management practices ("BMPs"); establishing and conducting inspection programs; establishing and conducting or, as set forth in BMC § 14.05.070, requiring responsible parties to conduct monitoring programs, which may include sampling of discharges to or from drainage control facilities, the public drainage control system, or surface water; taking enforcement action; abating nuisances; promulgating guidance and policy documents under this title. The public works director shall also have the authority to review and approve or disapprove required submittals and applications for approvals and permits as set forth in this title. Any powers granted or duties imposed upon the public works director may be delegated to persons or entities acting in the beneficial interest of or in the employ of the agency as designated by the public works director.
The public works director is further authorized to develop drainage basin plans for managing surface water, drainage water, and erosion within individual subbasins. Compliance with an adopted drainage basin plan may, when approved by the public works director, modify requirements of this title, provided the level of protection for human health, safety, and welfare, the environment, and public or private property will equal or exceed that which would otherwise be achieved.
(Ord. 1853 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018)